Searching for God – A Spiritual Story by Rabindranath Tagore

I have been seeking and searching God for as long as I can remember, for many many lives, from the very beginning of existence. Once in a while, I have seen him by the side of a faraway star, and I have rejoiced and danced that the distance, although great, is not impossible to reach. And I have traveled and reached to the star; but by the time I reached the star, God has moved to another star. And it has been going on for centuries.

The challenge is so great that I go on hoping against hope… I have to find him, I am so absorbed in the search. The very search is so intriguing, so mysterious, so enchanting, that God has become almost an excuse — the search has become itself the goal.

And to my surprise, one day I reached a house in a faraway star with a small sign in front of it, saying, “This is the house of God.” My joy knew no bounds — so finally I have arrived! I rushed up the steps, many steps, that led to the door of the house. But as I was coming closer and closer to the door, a fear suddenly appeared in my heart. As I was going to knock, I became paralyzed with a fear that I had never known, never thought of, never dreamt of. The fear was:

If this house is certainly the house of God, then what will I do after I have found him?”

Now searching for God has become my very life; to have found him will be equivalent to committing suicide. And what am I going to do with him? I had never thought of all these things before. I should have thought before I started the search: what am I going to do with God?

I took my shoes in my hands, and silently and very slowly stepped back, afraid that God may hear the noise and may open the door and say, “Where are you going? I am here, come in!” And as I reached the steps, I ran away as I have never run before; and since then I have been again searching for God, looking for him in every direction — and avoiding the house where he really lives. Now I know that house has to be avoided. And I continue the search, enjoy the very journey, the pilgrimage.

This is from the book Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore

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What Is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning of the “Searching for God” Story?

This tale, a testament to the spiritual expedition spanning eons, narrates the captivating pursuit of the divine presence residing in the house of God.

Throughout lifetimes and ages, the soul has traversed galaxies, glimpsing God's radiance from distant stars. Each sighting kindles hope, affirming that the celestial dwelling, though distant, is not an insurmountable journey. The seeker dances through celestial realms, striving towards the beckoning light, only to arrive and find the divine has moved on to another cosmic abode. The quest becomes an endless odyssey stretching across the annals of time.

The allure of this pursuit is magnetic, drawing the seeker deeper into the labyrinth of mystery. The search itself becomes a compelling narrative, an odyssey infused with enchantment and wonder. In this mesmerizing quest, God transforms into more than an ultimate destination; the pursuit becomes the very essence of existence, the divine mirroring in the seeker's relentless search.

Yet, in the grand cosmic symphony, a pivotal moment emerges. The seeker arrives at a celestial house bearing a sign proclaiming it as the abode of God. The heart sings with ecstatic joy—could this be the culmination of the timeless search? Yet, as the seeker approaches the threshold, an unforeseen trepidation grips the soul.

The fear, unforeseen and haunting, arises:

What then, after finding God? What purpose will the seeker serve? What next after the ultimate discovery?”

The seeker's identity has intertwined so deeply with the pursuit of the divine that encountering the object of the search poses an existential conundrum. The quest for God, once the lifeblood, now threatens to be akin to spiritual suicide, rendering the purpose of existence into a profound uncertainty.

In a moment of transcendental realization, the seeker pauses, shoes in hand, pondering the implications of encountering the divine. A fear, unfathomed before, reverberates through the seeker's being—uncertainty eclipses the once-unwavering quest. With a silent retreat, the seeker steps back, evading the doorstep of the divine abode, fearing the implications of that ultimate encounter.

The seeker flees, racing away from the celestial dwelling, now aware that the house of God demands avoidance. And so, the cosmic expedition resumes—a pilgrimage of renewed exploration, the seeker traversing every conceivable corner, seeking the divine presence while consciously steering clear of the house where God truly resides.

The spiritual essence of this narrative isn't solely about the quest itself; it embodies the profound journey of self-discovery entwined with the search for the divine. It illuminates the intricate dance between the seeker's identity and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

This story invites contemplation on the multifaceted nature of our yearning for the divine. It speaks to the profound introspection required in the pursuit of higher truths—challenging us to not just seek answers but to embrace the questions that lead us deeper into the recesses of our being.

Ultimately, it reminds us that the journey towards the divine isn't just about reaching an elusive destination; it's about the transformative power of the quest itself. It is in the exploration, the inquiry, and the journey that the soul finds its truest revelations.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

1. As you join the narrator in the eternal search for God, ponder: What is the driving force behind my own spiritual journey, and how has it shaped the narrative of my existence?
2. Reflect on the recurring theme of God moving from star to star. Ask yourself: How do I navigate the ever-changing landscapes of my beliefs and spiritual pursuits, and what fuels my persistence in the face of uncertainty?
3. Contemplate the realization that the search itself has become the goal. Question your own journey: How does the process of seeking something higher transform the very essence of my life's purpose?
4. Picture the moment when the narrator discovers the house of God. Reflect on your own spiritual milestones: Have there been instances when you felt you had arrived at the doorstep of divine understanding or revelation?
5. As the narrator approaches the door, consider the sudden fear that grips the heart. Ask yourself: What fears or uncertainties arise when I contemplate the possibility of attaining the spiritual fulfillment I seek?
6. Delve into the fear that surfaces: What am I going to do after I have found God? Reflect on your own expectations and apprehensions about the potential realization of your spiritual quest.
7. Picture the narrator holding shoes in hand, stepping back from the door. Ask yourself: Are there aspects of my life or self that I fear losing or confronting if I were to fully embrace spiritual enlightenment?
8. Contemplate the decision to avoid the house of God and continue the search. Reflect on your own spiritual choices: How do I navigate the delicate balance between seeking the divine and confronting the potential consequences of finding it?
9. Explore the notion of the journey as a pilgrimage. Ask yourself: How does the very act of seeking and searching become a sacred pilgrimage in my own spiritual narrative?
10. Ponder the avoidance of the house where God truly resides. Reflect on your own sacred spaces: Are there aspects of spiritual understanding or enlightenment that I consciously or unconsciously avoid, and why?

May these reflections accompany you on the pilgrimage of your own spiritual quest, unraveling the truths that lie in the sacred corners of your heart.